Bicycle Network: Metro Routes

Transport based bike routes in Melbourne

This section contains the campaigns to improve, connect and extend the primarily on road bicycle routes in and around metro Melbourne. We have included in this section off road paths that primarily serve a transport function.

Campaigns from the mid 1990s

These flyers were sent to Bicycle Network Victoria members in the mid 1990s. The letter writing campaign that followed led to a State Government commitment of $1m a year to build these projects and the rest of the Principal Bicycle Network

Denmark Street, Kew

A short section of Denmark Street, between Wellington St and Stephenson Street is proving popular with riders wishing to avoid the hectic Kew Junction and take advantage of quieter nearby routes

Dingley Bypass path

Linking Warrigal Rd Moorabbin through to Dandenong South, this corridor is part of the Metropolitan Trail Network

East: Auburn Road

A missing link is needed on Auburn Road to provide a continuous route for riders

East: Bridge Rd

Bridge Rd Richmond is a key route heading into the CBD and is a popular destination in its own right

East: Bulleen and Templestowe Roads

Bulleen and Templestowe Roads are on the Principal Bicycle Network and have the potential to offer a viable link for sustainable transport purposes. It would also take advantage of the many off road paths in the area and help better connect the community

East: Eaglemont Boulevard

The Boulevard is a quiet road between Manningham Rd and Burke Rd North which avoids the need to go through the Burke Rd North cutting

East: Ferntree Gully Rd

Linking the extensive EastLink path across to Burwood Highway

East: Glen Waverley Rail Path

East: Hawthorn Road

The continuation of on-road lanes along Hawthorn Road would fill a gap in the network.

East: High St

Linking Gardiners Creek to St Kilda Rd and a series of activity centres along the way, High St has the potential to become a bike, tram and pedestrian friendly corridor

East: Highbury Rd

Highbury Rd is on the Principal Bicycle Network and is an important East-West route

East: Murrumbeena/East Boundary Rd

A north-south route connecting to the Gardiners Creek, Scotchmans Creek and Anniversary Trails

East: Oban Rd, Ringwood

An on road route through the residential area north of Ringwood Central Activity District

East: Ringwood to Croydon

An important link from the east into th Ringwood Central Activity Area (CAA). A significant transport function could be achieved if this link were completed

East: Tooronga Rd

Connecting Dandenong Rd to the Gardiners Creek and beyond to Riversdale Rd, this is already a popular transport route.

East: Tram 109 - Box Hill to City

This route starts in Box Hill at Whitehorse Rd then heads towards the city along Whitehorse Rd-Cotham Rd-High St-Barkers Rd-Victoria St

Inner Gertrude / Langridge Streets

Gertrude and Langridge Street provides an already popular east-west route between Abbotsford and the inner Melbourne area, connecting from the Main Yarra Trail (at Nicholson St) through to Queensberry St and on through North Melbourne

Inner: Bridge Rd

An important route and destination in its own right, Bridge Rd is already popular with riders

Inner: Clarendon St, East Melbourne

A very popular route running north-south between Victoria and Wellington Parades. This street is used by hundreds of riders in the am peak from Wellington Street, Albert Street and the MCG precinct to connect to NorthBank via the Barak Bridge and over the other bridges to the south also.

Inner: Collins St

This route runs from the intersection with Spring St (Melway 2F K3) to the intersection of Spencer St (2F A6)

Inner: Elizabeth St - Albert St

This will become one of the main east west commuter routes from Church St and Lennox St in Richmond to the CBD. As it develops it will attract riders off the Yarra trail at Gipps Street for a more direct route.

Inner: Exhibition Street

This CBD street links Rathdowne in the north, via the Exhibition Street extension in the south to the Yarra Trail.

Inner: Flemington Road

A major commuter route servicing the northwest

Inner: Flemington to Melbourne University

An east west connection between Flemington and Parkville.

Inner: Footscray Rd path

This path is part of the Western Rail Path Route

Inner: Gisbourne Macarthur

This route runs from Victoria Parade in the north to the northern edge of the CBD at the intersection of Collins and Spring.

Inner: La Trobe St

Latrobe St is a major entry route into and through the CBD. The long planned separated bike lane is finally a reality.

Inner: Laurens Street

A popular route for riders heading through North and West Melbourne

Inner: Market, Queensbridge and Moray Sts

An important southern link into the CBD between Moray St, Southbank, Northbank and Market St

Inner: Melville/Dawson/Grantham Route

A popular North-South route through West Brunswick

Inner: Napier

The Napier Street route runs from St George's Road in North Fitzroy to Victoria Parade near the Catholic University.

Inner: Punt Road Alternative

An alternative route to Punt Road that will take riders from Clifton Hill to St Kilda

Inner: Queensberry St

Queensberry Street is an important part of the east west route linking the stockbridge over the Maribyrnong River to the Yarra Trail at the Gipps Street Bridge in Abbotsford.

Inner: Rathdowne St

This route runs from Park St in Princes Hill (Mel Ref 29 K11) along Rathdowne St to Victoria St (Mel Ref 43 J6) at the edge of the CBD.

Inner: Royal Parade, Peel and William Streets

Already a popular route and one of Melbourne's top three most used on road facilities, this route can be developed to perform a far stronger transport function by upgrading the bike facilities.

Inner: St Kilda to Clifton Hill

A north-south route that avoids the CBD

Inner: Swanston RMIT to Melbourne University

First Copenhagen style bike lanes in Australia

Inner: Swanston St

Bicycles are part of a successful and bustling Swanston Street

Inner: The Exhibition Buildings

The route along the south side of the Exhibition Buildings is an important part of the east west route linking the stockbridge over the Maribyrnong River to the Yarra Trail at the Gipps Street Bridge in Abbotsford.

Inner: Wellington St

Wellington St is a popular and well connected route in the inner network. With over 400 riders in the 7-9am peak it provides a major transport function and serves as a viable connection from North Fitzroy through to East Melbourne

Inner: William St

William Street has become a key route into and through the CBD.

Kew Boulevard

Yarra Bend park is Melbourne's hidden jewel; only a few kilometres from the CBD and contains the east's most popular area for riders on the Boulevard, the Main Yarra trail, many mtb trails and criterium circuit

Nicholson/Lennox St - Clifton Hill to East Richmond Station

A popular section of the Punt Rd Alternative Route linking Clifton Hill to the Main Yarra Trail and beyond, Nicholson and Lennox St acts as an important North-South route for riders bypassing the inner city area or traversing to other routes such as Johnston, Langridge, Albert, Bridge, Swan St and the Main Yarra Trail

North: Barow St

A good north south link alternative to Sydney Rd, connecting Coburg to the south, along a corridor of residential streets including schools and other attractions

North: Barrow Street

Upgrade bike lanes and fill gaps on Barrow Street to provide an alternative cycling route to Sydney Road

North: Canning Street

The recent upgrade to the Canning Street Pidgon Street roundabout is being reviewed.

North: Cramer/Gower Streets, Preston

An important East-West route connecting the heart of Preston Activity Centre, The rail station and market to the surrounding network such as St Georges Rd Path and the Merri and Darebin creek corridors.

North: Darebin Road and Livingstone Street

An important east-west route connecting Ivanhoe to Thornbury will also be an important link in the surrounding network

North: Dawson/Glenlyon in Brunswick

This route running from Moonee Ponds to Brunswick East could see even more people choosing to ride if a simple upgrade were applied

North: Epping precinct

Epping has been identified as one of Melbourne's major activity centres and generates a high volume of trips. Incorporating bikes will be a challenge

North: Epsom Road

An important link approaching the inner Melbourne area from the north east

North: Harding St, Coburg

North: Heidelberg Rd

A major route already popular with transport riders, Heidelberg Rd can be improved to get more people riding

North: La Trobe Uni/Macleod Station path

La Trobe University is a suburban, car-based campus. Efforts are underway to reduce car dependency and improve access for bikes. Much needs to be done.

North: Mickleham Road

Previously a major Melbourne trucking route but now being absorbed by this fast-growing urban corridor of the metro area

North: O'Hea St

This east-west route will provide a great alternative to Bell St across the City of Moreland. An off-road two-way path has been provided as part of the ehabilitation/reconstruction of the road. It provides a model of how to provide a high quality off-road path within an existing typical local road reservation width of one-chain (20.12m).

North: Ormond Road and Maribyrnong Road

Providing cycling lanes between parked cars and the traffic lane along Ormond and Maribyrnong Roads would mean safer conditions for riders along this busy route.

North: Plenty Road

An important route in the north east of Melbourne, providing a more direct route for commuters and also a popular weekend route for riders heading out to the hills

North: Reservoir to Epping Rail Corridor

A route connecting the Epping, Lalor, Thomastown down to Reservoir would allow residents to connect to the High St/St georges Rd path and beyond to the CBD. The Zone One ticket at Reservoir will also encourage residents to choose getting there by bike.

North: Route 86 High St/Plenty Rd

Darebin City Council in conjunction with Yarra Trams and the Department of Transport are proposing to upgrade Route 86 tram service and generally make this precinct more pedestrian friendly. There may be positives and negatives for bikes.

North: St Georges Rd - Brunswick St (Lalor to CBD)

This is a key CBD commuter route. It is off-road for a significant portion. We are working to fix the gaps and get improvements along the route.

North: Sydney Road

Sydney Road in the City of Moreland links south from O'Hea to Royal Parade in the CIty of Melbourne. (VicRoads road - Principle Bicycle Network route.)

North: Wingrove, South Crescent and Westgarth route

This route is a popular route for riders in the inner north east and beyond heading toward the inner Melbourne area.

North: Woodland Street

An important east-west route and link to and through the Strathmore Railway Station

North: Yan Yean Pipe Track

This waterpipe corridor cuts a swathe through the sprawling northern suburbs north of the Ring Road and could help to move thousands of people in one Melbourne's most public transport poor areas

South - Peninsula Link

The proposed Frankston Bypass road project will include an adjacent shared path, going from Paterson River in Carrum Downs and eventually to Mornington

South East: Bay Street

A de facto bike lane exists along Bay Street, Brighton. On-road lane markings will connect this street to the surrounding cycling network.

South East: Cranbourne rail Corridor

Linking Cranbourne Railway Station across the centre of Cranbourne and toward the TAFE, Sporting Centre, Casey Fields and nearby schools

South East: Dandenong Rail Corridor

Identified as a Priority Route on the VicRoads Principle Bicycle Network, this rail corridor links Caulfield to Dandenong Centres and nearby activity centres such as Monash University and

South East: Ernst Wanke Road and Parkhill Drive

A route travelling through a densely populated area, riders in this area need some vital links to be able to connect to the surrounding network

South East: Heatherton Rd

An important east-west route running through a large urban population, particularly in Endeavour Hills, past the Dandenong Creek Trail and through to Noble Park

South East: High Street

Continuation of on-road lanes along High street will help connect the local cycling network in Manningham

South East: Linking Eumemmerring Creek Path to Dandenong

These two existing paths need to be linked to take advantage of the local extensive network and into the Dandenong Central Activity Centre

South East: New Street

This cycling route needs upgrades to line markings to improve riding conditions.

South East: Old Princes Highway, Pakenham

A viable direct route linking a wide section of the local community with local destinations

South East: Orrong Road

Continue to improve cycling conditions along Orrong Road, Elsternwick.

South East: St Andrews Street

A de facto bike lane exists along St Andrews Street,Brighton. On-road lane markings will connect this street to the surrounding cycling network.

South East: Waverley to East Malvern Link

A natural corridor once used by the Outer Circle Rail line featuring the once famous Black Bridge, this route would link the Dandenong Rail Path to Gardiners Creek Path, Scotchmans Path

South West: Maddox and Rail Path

A promising and potentially easy to achieve link for Hobsons Bay Council, this link would provide an attractive route for riders coming from further west to link through to Newport and the Footscray precinct and beyond

South: Alma Rd (Orrong Rd to Fitzroy St)

Connecting Alma Street to the Albert Park Lake trail would provide a continuous route for commuters.

South: Chapel St-Church St

Chapel St is an important transport route and destination in its own right. With many riders in the area to the south east of here targetting the inner area their options are limited. Chapel St offers a direct and well connected route from East St Kilda all the way up to Abbotsford

South: Clarendon Street tram proposals

South: Cranbourne Rd

An important east-west route linking the imminent Peninsula Link path into the Frankston Central Activity District

South: Glen Eira, Booran and Neerim Roads

Identified on the Principal Bicycle Network as a priority route

South: Lake Route (St Kilda Foreshore to Melbourne's CBD)

St Kilda Foreshore to Melbourne's CBD via Fitzroy St —Albert Park—Cecil St will become one of Melbourne's best quality routes.

South: Mornington Path Link

Continued support of this project is needed

South: Nepean Highway

A direct route from the south, Nepean Highway currently carries many riders confident to ride on road. The existing off road path is of poor quality in some sections and needs to be completed up to Glenhuntly Rd

South: North Rd

South: Park Street

On-road bike lanes along Park Street in Albert Park would help connect Port Phillip's extensive bike network.

South: Payne Street

Complete gap between PenLink path, Baxter Rail Path and Bay Trail in Frankston Centre.

South: Route 33 - Beach Road cycling

Route 33: The world's premier cycle training route

South: Skye Road

Connect the west end of Payne St to link to freeway the overpass. A small project with big returns.

South: Sladen St Cranbourne

Sladen St is an important east-west route connecting into the heart of Cranbourne

South: South Rd

Many sections exist but there are crucial gaps, particularly the eastern end and many of the intersections. Existing lanes could be upgraded with green surface at intersections and vibraline edge marking

South: St Kilda Rd-Brighton Rd-Nepean Hwy

One of Melbourne's best loved boulevards needs to be improved for bike riders.

West: Defence site

Linking Keilor to Highpoint Precinct with a new river crossing and link through the Defense Site currently under redevelopment

West: Derrimut Rd

A central North-South Route linking Werribee to Tarneit

West: Grieve Parade

A good north-south route through Altona's mix of residential and industrial area.

West: Kororoit Creek Rd

An important west-east route connecting Laverton to Williamstown, this road serves as a good transport and local training route

West: Laverton Airbase to Station path

The lure of a zone one ticket is seeing locals flocking toward at Laverton Station. The south side Parkiteer cage is overflowing but the north cage sits near empty due to poor access. A path approaching from the west would greatly releive traffic and parking congestion in the area